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Vote, Vote, Vote

2022 Midterms: Election Day is exactly one month away from today. Here’s what you need to know…

The Story

On Tuesday, November 8, voters across the country will head to the polls. This year, 36 gubernatorial, 35 Senate, and all 435 House seats are up for election. As well as countless local positions. While everyone’s ballot will look a little different, the consensus is the same: The stakes are super high.

Tell me. 

In Washington, Congress’s fate hangs in the balance — so depending on which party wins, the Biden admin may need to adjust its to-do list. Reminder: Republicans need a net gain of just one seat to flip the Senate and five seats to take back the House. And polls and pundits indicate control of either chamber is a toss up or thiiis close. But what’s happening farther down your ballot is just as consequential this year. Because many of the issues that could impact your day-to-day life are on the line at the state or local level. Including…

• Reproductive rights. The fall of Roe v. Wade means abortion is now decided at the state level. So, some places are following in Kansas’s footsteps by putting anti-abortion referendums on the ballot (hi, Kentucky and Montana) — although Kansas’s measure failed. On the other hand, voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont will decide whether their state constitutions should be amended to protect abortion rights. Reminder: Even if you aren’t voting in one of those states, abortion is on the ballot almost everywhere — with candidates both for and against abortion rights. 

• Future elections. Voting about voting? So meta. Michigan and Connecticut are deciding whether to expand voting access, by letting people vote early in future elections. While in Nevada, there could be a total overhaul of how elections are run (think: open primaries, ranked-choice voting). Then, there’s Arizona, where there’s a ballot measure that would add voter ID requirements. Also, reportedly, a majority of GOP candidates running for office have denied or questioned the outcome of the 2020 election. (Even though there’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud.) That includes several who, if elected, would be in charge of overseeing future elections — potentially undermining democracy.

• Gun safety. Mass shootings and rising gun homicide rates are top of mind for many voters. (See: Nearly 60% of respondents in one poll said gun policy would play a “major” role in their decisions.) So candidates are making it a big part of the conversation. In some states, there are also ballot measures. See: Iowa, where voters will decide whether to put the right “to keep and bear arms” in the state constitution. And Oregon, where there’s a gun control measure on the ballot that, if passed, would reportedly be one of the strictest in the country. 

• Education. Governor. Superintendent. School board member. There are a number of state races that could impact your child’s school. Since this election cycle comes amid a wave of anti-CRT rhetoric, book bans, and policies that discriminate against LGBTQIA+ youth.

• The economy. From the gas station to the grocery store, everywhere you go is a reminder that prices aren’t what they used to be. Yep, we’re talking about inflation. One poll found that more than 80% of Americans ranked it as a top issue. And with high prices expected to continue, candidates across the country are making the case for how they’ll ease the financial burden.  

PS: Curious what Skimm'rs think about the midterms? Find out here.